tv · film · music

Pages

This Week’s Most Exquisite TV Moment

January 31-February 7Grease: Live

There were plenty of wonderful moments on television this week, but after the premiere of Grease: Live we were all fairly certain it wouldn’t be topped. Live productions often leave such an indescribably lasting imprint, but Grease: Live has done something else — it’s taken us back in time in all the most exceptionally ridiculous ways. It may not be the greatest or healthiest story told, but it’s always a lot of fun. And the extent of adrenaline it was able to fill viewers with was nothing short of remarkable — to a state of speechlessness even.

I could not have been more impressed with the casting choices if I tried. And while the folks over at TVLine said it best and with much more eloquence, Vanessa Hudgens knocked it out of the ballpark. Hudgens is deserving of estimable praise and appreciation from all, for to learn of such a great loss hours before (her father) and to perform such a groundbreaking number live is undoubtedly what can be classified as perfection. Julianne Hough amazed me numerous times with her singing voice — is there anything she can’t do? And Aaron Tveit always gives 110% leaving viewers in awe. But let’s not forget the brilliance Keke Palmer delivered and Carlos Pena-Vega’s interesting take on Kenickie. I’m also certain I wasn’t the only one who screeched when the original Frenchy (Didi Conn) gave today’s Frenchy (Carly Rae Jepsen) life advice. Finally, Jordan Fisher — what an absolute delight and a stunning performance. The cast could not have been more perfect, I’m certain of this.

And of course, how could we not address the seemingly magical wardrobe changes and wonderful direction? I said “bravo” numerous times out loud to my screen. Grease Live was an adventure — an incredible adventure that wonderfully reminded me and presumably others of our high school years. And the pure elation seen on the faces of the entire cast at the end had a beautifully inspiring effect — I feel lucky to have watched it. And the fact that it’s so much fun to geek out over is what’s making me so giddy. We all need to feel giddy every once in a while right?